70: Chapter 70 The Undercurrents of the Five Regions

In the battle of the "Southern Region Alliance Meeting", Lin Wan, with thunderous momentum, used a single sword strike to exterminate the remnants of four major Evil Path giants—the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult, the Yin Corpse Sect, the Ice Soul Palace, and the Xuanming Sect—along with over a dozen of their elites.

His reputation as "True Monarch Guixu", along with the terrifying combat power he displayed that exceeded the limits of the Nascent Soul Realm and approached the "Soul Transformation" level, swept through the Five Regions of the Southern Continent like a world-shaking hurricane, centered on the Qingyun Sect.

Within the Southern Region, it went without saying. After this sword strike, no one dared to have the slightest objection to the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance" and Lin Wan's position as leader.

The three top-tier Sects—the Xuantian Sword Sect, the Hundred Flowers Valley, and the Beast Taming Mountain—as well as countless small and medium-sized forces, all submitted wholeheartedly and pledged their allegiance.

After the Alliance meeting, the details of the various Alliance covenants were quickly implemented. A "Council of Elders" composed of representatives from each Sect was established, beginning to set up permanent offices at the Qingyun Sect to handle daily Alliance affairs, coordinate resource allocation, and, based on the foundational battle formations and Cultivation Techniques Lin Wan brought back from the Five Elements Barrier, select elite Disciples to form a joint army and begin preliminary coordinated drills.

Within the Qingyun Sect, with the assistance of True Monarch Daoxuan and Peak Master Yue Lingyun, a thorough rectification and purge were completed.

The Tianquan, Danxia, and Refining Cauldron Peaks were replaced by Lin Wan with iron-fisted methods, installing new Peak Masters (Han Lingtian took charge of Tianquan, while the other two were led by reliable and capable Nascent Soul Elders designated by Lin Wan), and the atmosphere was instantly rectified.

Sect resources began to tilt toward Guixu Peak on a large scale, and Liu Ruyan, Chu Qingyao, Lin Jingyun, and the Disciples of the Guixu Peak lineage obtained the best training conditions and Legacy.

Lin Wan's dual status as "Grand Elder" and "Southern Region Alliance Leader" made the Qingyun Sect's status in the Southern Region surpass any period in history, truly becoming the uncrowned king of the Southern Region; wherever its orders went, none dared to disobey.

However, the stabilization of the Southern Region did not calm the situation across the entire Southern Continent. On the contrary, as the news of the name "True Monarch Guixu" and the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance" spread, the other four regions—the Central Plains, Eastern Wasteland, Western Desert, and Northern Plains—all saw undercurrents surging and reacted in different ways.

The Western Desert Buddhist nation, due to the prior transmission and personal witnessing of Liao Chen, was the force outside the Southern Region that had the clearest understanding of the threat of "the end" and the deepest knowledge of Lin Wan's strength.

The Abbot of the Vajra Temple, "Master Liaoyin", after listening to Liao Chen's detailed report and personally using Buddhist secret arts to remotely sense the trace of "Five Elements Returning to Ruins" Dao rhyme left behind when Lin Wan exterminated the evil with one sword, remained silent for a long time before finally issuing a decree:

"This child's Dao is already close to 'Buddha'. The calamity he speaks of is indeed an extinction-level disaster. Our Buddhist Sect shall provide convenience, build good relations with the Qingyun Sect, and fight the outer demons together. Order the various temples in the Western Desert to closely monitor the movements of 'the end'; if the Southern Region has need, provide assistance as appropriate. Additionally, prepare generous gifts and send an envoy to the Qingyun Sect to formally conclude an Alliance."

With the clear stance and support of this behemoth, the Western Desert Buddhist nation, the prestige and legitimacy of Lin Wan and the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance" increased once again. Many small and medium-sized forces that had originally been watching from the sidelines also made up their minds and sent envoys to seek good relations.

The Eastern Wasteland was dominated by the "Skyfire Sect". The Sects and clans under it mostly cultivated Fire and Wood attribute Cultivation Techniques, and the local customs were relatively fierce and direct.

The Sect Master of the Skyfire Sect, "Emperor Yan" (Soul Transformation Early Stage), was already resentful after learning that Lin Wan had killed his Sect's Elder Yan Potian in the Guixu Sea (in reality, Yan Potian did not die but was only severely injured and saved by Lin Wan, later separating from Lin Wan in the Heavenly Ruins; the news was incorrect), and even more so after suspecting that Lin Wan had obtained the core Legacy of the Five Elements Sect in the depths of the Heavenly Ruins.

Now, hearing that Lin Wan had integrated the Southern Region and established the "Anti-Calamity Alliance" with unparalleled momentum, he was even more consumed by jealousy.

"What 'the end' calamity? Alarmist! It is merely an excuse for that brat Lin Wan to take the opportunity to annex the Southern Region and strengthen himself!" Emperor Yan said angrily to his Elders in the Sect's main hall, "How can we in the Eastern Wasteland sit by and watch the Southern Region become the sole hegemon? That Five Elements Sect Legacy should belong to the capable! Pass down the order to closely monitor the movements of the Southern Region, especially Lin Wan's tracks! Additionally, secretly contact the remnants of the 'Xuanming Sect' in the Northern Plains, as well as those forces in the Central Plains dissatisfied with the Qingyun Sect, to see if we can... form a 'counter' Alliance!"

The Eastern Wasteland held the most obvious hostility and vigilance toward Lin Wan and the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance".

The Northern Plains, a land of bitter cold where Cultivators mostly cultivated niche techniques such as Ice, Water, Ghost, and Corpse, had a harsh environment and even fiercer and more sinister customs.

The original hegemons, the "Ice Soul Palace" and the "Xuanming Sect", had been almost completely slaughtered by Lin Wan in the Guixu Sea, the Heavenly Ruins, and the Southern Region Alliance Meeting; their leadership and elites were gone, and they had completely declined, having been carved up and swallowed by several other Evil Path and Demonic Path Sects.

Now, the Northern Plains presented a chaotic situation where several strong forces stood side by side, warring with each other.

These emerging forces naturally hated Lin Wan, the "culprit" who caused the drastic change in the Northern Plains' landscape, to the bone. However, cowed by his terrifying strength, they dared not retaliate openly and could only gnash their teeth in secret, while their collusion with the Eastern Wasteland's Skyfire Sect and certain forces in the Central Plains became increasingly tight, harboring evil intentions.

Among the Five Regions, the Central Plains—the most vast, prosperous, filled with experts, and possessing tangled and complex forces—had the most complex and subtle reaction.

The Central Plains, the core of the Southern Continent, had the most concentrated Spiritual Qi, the richest resources, a long history, and countless Legacies.

Here, Sects and clans were as numerous as crucian carp in a river, Soul Transformation True Monarchs manifested their divinity from time to time, and it was even rumored that there were old monsters at the Void Refining or Body Integration Stage hidden in famous mountains, great rivers, and blessed lands, not asking about worldly affairs.

The top-tier forces of the Central Plains, such as the "Da Yan Heaven Sect", the "Wuji Sword Sect", the "Yaochi Immortal Palace", the "Taishang Alchemy Sect", and the "Heavenly Secret Pavilion", any one of them possessed a strength and foundation far exceeding any single force in the Southern Region, and could even rival the integrated "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance".

Regarding the "True Monarch Guixu" Lin Wan who suddenly appeared in the Southern Region, and the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance" he established, the major forces of the Central Plains initially did not pay much attention.

The Southern Region was barren and had always been the weakest of the Five Regions. Even if a Genius at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection had emerged and integrated the Southern Region, in the eyes of these behemoths of the Central Plains, it was nothing more than a "country bumpkin" making a little noise, unable to stir up any major waves.

However, when the news that Lin Wan had killed four Late Stage Nascent Soul Evil Path giants with one sword—including such infamous figures as the Ten Thousand Poisons Cult Master and the Yin Corpse Sect Master—was confirmed by multiple parties and transmitted in detail back to the Central Plains, the power-holders of these top-tier forces could finally no longer sit still.

"One sword kills four Nascent Souls... and that includes the two old monsters, the Poison Gu and the Corpse Demon? Is this Lin Wan truly only at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection?" Inside the discussion hall of the Da Yan Heaven Sect, an old man with white hair and beard, a simple face, and an aura as deep as the sea (the current Sect Master of the Da Yan Heaven Sect, with the Dao title "Yantian", Soul Transformation Middle Stage) frowned as he looked at a recording Jade Slip in his hand that detailed the scenes of the Alliance meeting, and asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, according to verification from multiple parties, this is indeed the case." Below, a Late Stage Nascent Soul Elder respectfully replied, "Moreover, according to secret messages from Master Liaoyin of the Western Desert, the Dao that Lin Wan Cultivates is suspected to be the orthodox 'Five Elements Returning to Ruins' Legacy of the ancient Five Elements Sect, and he has already condensed a Dao Seed. His combat power cannot be measured by common sense. Master Liaoyin also seems to place great importance on the 'the end' calamity he speaks of."

"Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed... Ancient Five Elements Sect..." A sharp light flashed in Sect Master Yantian's eyes, "No wonder he has such combat power. How glorious was the Five Elements Sect back then; its Legacy is indeed extraordinary. This 'the end'... if even the bald donkeys of the Western Desert take it seriously, I fear it is not groundless."

"Sect Master, then what should we..." The Elder asked.

"Observe the changes, but prepare early." Sect Master Yantian mused, "Pass down the order to secretly send more forces to investigate the Heavenly Ruins and remote areas across the Central Plains to see if there are signs of abnormal erosion. At the same time, in the name of the Sect, send a 'congratulatory letter' with gentle wording to the Qingyun Sect, congratulating the establishment of the 'Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance', and... invite that 'True Monarch Guixu' to come to the Central Plains for 'Dao Discussion' when convenient."

"Yes." The Elder accepted the order.

A similar scene played out in top-tier forces such as the Wuji Sword Sect, the Yaochi Immortal Palace, the Taishang Alchemy Sect, and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. These giants, which had stood in the Central Plains for ten thousand years, were all cautious and probing in their attitude toward Lin Wan, this "variable" who had suddenly risen with an ancient Legacy and astonishing strength. Congratulatory letters and "Dao Discussion" invitations were sent to the Qingyun Sect one after another. This was both etiquette and a form of probing, and might even contain hidden barbs.

Besides these top-tier forces, there were even more first-rate and second-rate Sects, clans, and various secret organizations, chambers of commerce, and Loose Cultivator experts in the Central Plains, whose attitudes toward Lin Wan and the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance" were even more varied.

There were those who admired and sought to make friends, those who were jealous and hostile, those who wanted to take the opportunity to defect and gain benefits, and those who secretly colluded with the remnants of the Eastern Wasteland and Northern Plains, harboring evil intentions.

Among them, the reaction of the "Heavenly Secret Pavilion" was the most intriguing.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion was not a combat Sect in the traditional sense, but a special organization famous for deducing Heavenly Dao, selling intelligence, operating cross-region chambers of commerce, and holding large-scale auctions. Its influence spread across the Five Regions, and its access to information and breadth of connections could be called the best in the Southern Continent. The number of experts in the pavilion might not be the highest, but its wealth and information resources were something no force dared to underestimate.

On the tenth day after the end of the "Southern Region Alliance Meeting", in a luxurious quiet room on the top floor of the "Star Gazing Tower" at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's headquarters in the Central Plains, one could overlook most of the Central Plains city.

An old man wearing a moon-white robe embroidered with patterns of the constellations, with a refined face, eyes as deep as if they contained endless galaxies, and an aura that was ethereal and difficult to fathom (the current Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, known as "Elder Xingyan", whose cultivation was unfathomable), stood with his hands behind his back in front of a huge crystal window, watching the clouds roll and unfurl outside.

In front of him floated a recording Jade Slip similar to the one in Sect Master Yantian's hand, inside which the scene of Lin Wan unleashing that "Slaying Evil" sword strike was being played repeatedly.

"Five Elements Returning to Ruins... Dao Seed... Slaying evil with one sword..." Elder Xingyan whispered to himself, starlight flowing in his eyes as if he were rapidly deducing and calculating something.

A moment later, he slowly withdrew his gaze, a strange light flashing in his eyes, as he whispered to himself, or perhaps to some invisible presence:

"A variable... a huge variable... The trajectory of the Heavenly Dao has appeared to have an unpredictable deflection because of him... The shadow of 'the end' has also become clearer because of this... Interesting, truly interesting."

He turned and ordered the empty quiet room: "Pass down the order to organize a copy of our Heavenly Secret Pavilion's top-secret files on the 'Ancient Five Elements Sect', 'Heavenly Ruins Anomalies', and 'Strange Erosion Events' from the last millennium, and send it through the highest secret channel to the Qingyun Sect in the Southern Region, to be opened by 'True Monarch Guixu' Lin Wan. At the same time, attach a letter in my private name, just write... 'Heavenly Dao is chaotic, a variable has arisen. I wish to gaze at the star sea with you and explore the Return-to-Void together.'"

In the void, a barely audible "Yes" came, and then it returned to calm.

Elder Xingyan looked out the window again, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Lin Wan... I hope you can bring some... different waves to this stagnant pool. Opposing 'the end'? Perhaps, you can really become that key piece..."

Just as the Five Regions were surging with undercurrents and the various forces held subtle attitudes toward Lin Wan and the "Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance", Lin Wan, who was at the center of the storm, did not pay too much attention to the outside disturbances.

After the Southern Region Alliance Meeting, he handed over the specific affairs of the Alliance to the "Council of Elders" composed of True Monarch Daoxuan, True Monarch Xiaoyun, Fairy Baihua, the Mountain Lord, and Liao Chen (representing the Western Desert), and returned to Guixu Peak to enter deep seclusion.

This seclusion was different from the past. He was not simply to improve his cultivation (he had already reached the Peak of Nascent Soul Great Perfection and needed an opportunity to break through to Soul Transformation), but to attempt two things.

First, to thoroughly refine and control the core of the Five Elements Barrier—the Chaos Five Elements Wheel—and obtain the qualification to open the "Return-to-Void Secret Treasury". He vaguely felt that the treasury not only contained the core Legacy and Sharp Weapon of the Five Elements Sect to fight against "the end", but might also contain the key opportunity for him to break through to the Soul Transformation Realm or even higher Realms.

Second, to attempt to use his own Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed as a base, combined with the "the end" Law fragments absorbed from "The End Hunter", to deduce and create a natal Divine Ability that was more suitable for himself and more powerful. The "Slaying Evil" he displayed at the Alliance meeting, although powerful, was more of a crushing reliance on the Dao Seed and cultivation, as well as the sharpness of the guixu sword itself, and could not yet be considered a true trump card created by himself. Facing the more powerful "the end" existences that might appear in the future, and even the potential Soul Transformation opponents in the Central Plains, he needed a killer move of his own capable of settling the outcome with one strike.

Guixu Peak, core quiet room.

Lin Wan sat cross-legged on the Chaos Jade Marrow cushion, his mind completely immersed in the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed in the center of his brow, which had already transformed and become increasingly deep and vast. At the same time, he split a wisp of his mind to cross endless space through the close connection between the Dao Seed and the Five Elements Barrier, remotely sensing and communicating with the Five Elements Barrier that had already entered a state of deep concealment in the depths of the Heavenly Ruins, as well as its core, the Chaos Five Elements Wheel.

Time quietly slipped away in deep realization and deduction.

The changes in the outside world and the undercurrents of the Five Regions seemed to have nothing to do with him.

However, the tree wants to be still, but the wind will not stop.

Just about half a year after Lin Wan went into seclusion, a message Jade Talisman from the Central Plains, sealed with special encrypted runes and radiating faint starlight, pierced through the heavy Restrictions of the Qingyun Sect, ignored the defensive array of Guixu Peak, and appeared directly in the quiet room where Lin Wan was in seclusion, floating in front of him.

Branded on the Jade Talisman was a complex emblem made of star trajectories—the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!

At the same time, a wisp of Lin Wan's mind left to guard outside also received an urgent message from Han Lingtian:

"Junior Brother Lin, the five top forces of the Central Plains—the 'Da Yan Heaven Sect', the 'Wuji Sword Sect', the 'Yaochi Immortal Palace', the 'Taishang Alchemy Sect', and the 'Heavenly Secret Pavilion'—have jointly sent an invitation for the 'Five Regions Dao Discussion Conference', specially inviting you to go to 'Tiandu Mountain' in the Central Plains in one year to participate in the conference and discuss 'responding to the changes in heaven and earth and maintaining the peace of the Five Regions'! In addition, the Eastern Wasteland's Skyfire Sect and several forces in the Northern Plains have also colluded in secret, appearing to have ulterior motives! Master Liaoyin of the Western Desert sent a message to warn you to be careful!"

Five Regions Dao Discussion Conference? Discuss responding to the changes in heaven and earth?

Lin Wan slowly opened his eyes, Chaos light flowing in his pupils, as deep as the Universe.

He reached out, caught the message Jade Talisman from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, and probed with his Divine Thought.

A moment later, a hint of realization flashed in his eyes, and a cold yet expectant arc slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.

"What should come, will always come."

"Central Plains... Tiandu Mountain... Five Regions Dao Discussion..."

"Just right, take this opportunity to meet the heroes of the world, and see how deep the shadow of 'the end' truly covers these Five Regions."

"The path to Soul Transformation, perhaps... lies within this Dao Discussion."

He stood up, his aura already perfect and flawless, deep as an abyss.

The seclusion temporarily came to an end.

A new journey was about to begin.